Junior doctors will strike this week over an ongoing pay dispute with the government, at a challenging time for many NHS staff.
Junior doctors’ strike action runs from 7am on Thursday 27 June until 7am on Tuesday 2 July. Junior doctors make up around 50 per cent of doctors in the NHS and, despite extensive planning and cover arrangements, the latest strikes by junior doctors are likely to cause widespread disruption.
The NHS in London is keen to stress that emergency care continues to be prioritised during the industrial action and people should still call 999 in life-threatening emergencies and contact NHS 111 for other health concerns, as well as local services including GPs and pharmacies.
NHS London’s medical director Chris Streather said:
“The NHS in London faces a number of challenges at present, with trusts – particularly in south east London – directly affected by the serious cyber incident which took place earlier in June and a number of other organisations involved in providing mutual aid to those directly hit by the attack.
“Nevertheless, the NHS has, as always, been preparing extensively for these strikes and it’s important that people continue to come forward for care if they need it. To help us deliver care to those that need it most, we are asking people to continue to use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies. For everything else people should contact NHS 111 online, as well use local services like GPs and pharmacies for advice and care. If you haven’t been contacted or informed that your planned appointment has been postponed, please attend as normal.”
The NHS is working closely with the BMA to address any patient safety concerns during the period of industrial actions as a result of the ongoing cyber incident that is having an impact across south east London. People should still come forward to access the care they need in the usual way – in a life-threatening emergency, call 999 and use A&E. For everything else, use 111 online. Pharmacies and GPs are unaffected by the strikes so patients can still get appointments and health advice.
